You don’t have to pay when you first meet or speak to your adviser. At this point, we’re still getting to know you, finding out about your objectives and how we might help. If it takes more than one conversation or meeting to understand this, these will still be free. Please be aware that you won’t get any personal financial advice or recommendations as part of these preliminary discussions.
You’ll only pay if you decide to take financial advice by signing a fee agreement. But your adviser will make sure you know what the charges are first.
All advisers must have a diploma in financial planning (or equivalent) which is recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and complete training and development each year to keep their knowledge up to date. At Richstone Park, many of our advisers also have further qualifications such as advanced diplomas in financial planning.
Some of our advisers have additional qualifications in areas such as estate planning and long-term care.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Estate Planning.
Yes, the firm and each of the advisers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can check this for yourself by visiting Financial Services Register | FCA and clicking on “Search the Register”.
Unlike a savings account that holds cash and pays a regular interest rate, the money you contribute into an investment is invested in the stock market and other asset classes. In some years you might see your pension and investments performing well and you’ll see a pleasant increase in value. At other times, the amount may take a fall. These fluctuations are completely normal and as with all investing, there are many factors – like company announcements, political and economic issues – that can have an impact on the value of your pension and investments.
Independent advisers can recommend financial products spanning the whole of the market. This means that their advice is unbiased and unrestricted.
Restricted advisers can only recommend products from certain providers. In some cases, they will recommend products from a single company.
I asked Darren to look at my two pension plans that had been stagnating for some long time. Rather than tell me that we'd definitely be better moving them to one of his providers, Darren investigated them fully... and offered me advice based on his vast experience of the subject. No sales pitch, just good honest advice from a company that really know their stuff.
J. Partner~Private Client
